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Trial Number 7

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate exposure for traditional spray can and Enviro Caddie system

Date Run:

07/24/2002

Experiment Procedure:

A 12" x 12" x 12" Acrylic Spray Chamber lined with paper towels was used to contain paint sprayed. Background levels for organic vapor were measured using an OVM, Thermo Environmental Instruments, Inc - Model 580 B. Dragger tubes were used to measure for Acetone, Ethyl Benzene, Toluene & Xylene. Paint was sprayed for 2 seconds into the acrylic chamber. A reading was taken with the OVM at T = 0, at T = 10 seconds and then when level (T ~ 2 minutes). The OVM reading was repeated for each of the 4 Dragger tube measurements. Paper towels were changed between spraying in order to reduce residual vapors. Temperature and humidity were recorded to be 72.2 F and 68%.

Trial Results:

The measurements for the Drager tubes for the four compounds resulted in levels.
The results are listed in the table below.

Traditional Spray Can

 

Enviro Caddie System

Background Readings Background Readings
OVM                    6.7 ppm OVM                    9.6 ppm
Acetone              No Color Change Acetone              No Color Change
Ethyl Benzene   No Color Change Ethyl Benzene   No Color Change
Toulene               No Color Change Toulene               No Color Change
Xylene                 No Color Change Xylene                 No Color Change
                                                                 
Traditional Spray Can System Enviro Caddie System
OVM OVM
Max:                       569 ppm Max:                       1198 ppm
Steady State:         567 ppm Steady State:         1185 ppm
Acetone   10 pumps   =  2500 ppm Acetone        10 pumps   =  4500 ppm
                                  
OVM OVM
Max:                       570 ppm Max:                       Over Range (2000) ppm
Steady State:         570 ppm Steady State:         1151 ppm
Ethyl Benzene   6 pumps = 175 ppm Ethyl Benzene   6 pumps = 185 ppm
                                  
OVM OVM
Max:                       520 ppm Max:                       1215 ppm
Steady State:         520 ppm Steady State:         1215 ppm
Toulene           5 pumps   = 225  ppm Toulene           5 pumps   = 210  ppm
                                  
OVM OVM
Max:                       569 ppm Max:                       1250 ppm
Steady State:         567 ppm Steady State:         1250 ppm
Xylene             2 of 5 pumps     =  400 ppm Xylene             2 of 5 pumps     =  350 ppm
Corrected Xylene                        = 1000 ppm Corrected Xylene                      =  875 ppm

The Enviro Caddie paint delivered more Acetone than the traditional system (4500 to 2500). Both systems delivered similar amounts of Ethyl Benzene (185 to 175 ) and Toluene and (210 to 225). The Enviro Caddie paint had more than twice the total organic vapor than the traditional system did (1200 to 543).

Success Rating:

A follow up test, usually based on company input.

Conclusion:

Note: Even though both paints did not contain the same components, readings were obtained for the four chemicals. This would be due to the cross sensitivities of the individual Drager Tubes used.

Cross Sensitivity
Acetone: Other ketones can be indicated but at different sensitivity. Aldehydes are also indicated but not esters.
Ethyl Benzene: A number of petroleum hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds are also indicated at differing sensitivity.
Toluene: Xylenes are also indicated (with less sensitivity). Benzene changes color of the indicator to pale yellow. Petroleum hydrocarbons change the color to a reddish brown.
Xylene: Styrene, vinyl acetate, toluene, ethyl benzene and acetaldhyde are also indicated at lower sensitivity. 400 ppm ethyl acetate does not interfere with reading.

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